As hamsters are often with, or looked after by children, they will certainly need guidance and depending on their age and maturity will probably need supervision. Be particularly careful when many friends are around. It is great if you can buy your hamster from a breeder as he will be able to give good guidance on how to look after your pet and good food etc. He will often invite you to contact him if you have any questions.

Like us, they need food and water. A ceramic or stainless steel bowl is generally better than plastic, they are heavier and less likely to be knocked over and will not be chewed. There are plenty of good bagged food for hamsters in your pet supply shop. I would vary the product bought each time to provide variety. I would also add some green leaves and a root vegetable to munch as well.

So they need a cage. The cage will depend on the breed, the dwarf hamster will need a small cage, and be particularly careful with the size of multi level cages, as the dwarf hamster could have problems climbing – or worse falling off.

The hamster cage should be place out of the sun, heat extremes by avoiding radiators, draughts, where the cage could be knocked. Keep an eye on access to the cage by pets like cats and dogs.

What to put in the cage, hamsters are active animals and will require a wheel, that normally comes with the cage. Good free things are toilet roll tubes, some hamsters may destroy them for their nest though. The hamster cage will also need a quiet dark area for them to go to, with their bedding there.

A great gadget for hamster are the plastic balls that you can place them and they can then roll about in. Works superbly with tile and wooden floors, they will rush around following you, but take them out when they stop.

They are nocturnal animals so avoid waking them in the middle of the day. Early handling of them from the early afternoon onwards is a good workable solution.

Hamsters groom and wash themselves very well. The only exceptions are some of the long haired hamsters that require to be brushed, a toothbrush is ideal, to remove bits of bedding etc. from their fur.

Hamster News

Cushing's Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism) In Hamsters - Symptoms, Diagnosis, T...
Cushing's disease is not common in hamsters but does occur. The symptoms are often similar to diabetes. This article describes the condition of hyperadrenocorticism in hamsters.
Chinese Dwarf Hamsters Are Very Cute But Challenging
Can you guess why they are called Chinese dwarf hamsters? Yes of course because they are from China. Actually from the deserts of China and Mongolia.
Is the Chinese Dwarf Hamster a Dwarf Impostor?
Would it surprise you if I told you that a Chinese Dwarf Hamster is not really a dwarf hamster? That's right! A Chinese Dwarf Hamster is actually part of the rat-like family of hamsters.
Making Your Hermit Crab a Home - Setting Up His Tank
One of the great parts about hermit crab care is that they don't need a complex house like a guinea pig or hamster. However, remember that his tank is his palace; therefore, you should do your best...
An Introduction to Hamster Illnesses
Hamsters surviving in the wild are, for most part, sturdy little creatures that are rarely troubled by infectious hamster illnesses occurring in their natural habitat. Unfortunately, all of the spe...
The Care of Hamsters - A Choice of Standard Or Dwarf
Every species of hamster, whether it's a standard or a dwarf, requires pretty much the same level of care and maintenance. However, the biggest surprise has to be in the amount of food required by ...
The Four Types of Dwarf Hamsters
There are four types of dwarf hamster available for purchase as pets. Three species are in the genus Phodopus, and are commonly known as the Russian dwarf hamsters.
Caring For Your Dwarf Hamster
Having a pet is a huge responsibility. In site of this, many parents allow their children to get a pet of their own. Of course raising a pet is a shared responsibility of the household, but there i...
Necessities For a Dwarf Hamster
There are numerous choices of pets when you go to a pet shop. Of course there is man's best friend or perhaps the good 'ol pet fish. But for some, rodents are particularly interesting. In fact, the...